26
I stare at Jess as she looks at herself in the mirror. She smooths her wedding dress down as she continues staring at herself. She’s absolutely gorgeous as the morning sun peeks through the curtains. Her blue eyes hold mine in the mirror and I dab mine as I walk over towards her.
“Absolutely stunning.” I hold her gaze. Within seconds the doors burst open and her family surrounds her quickly. I watch everyone become emotional as they look at her. I feel my mother’s arm draped over my neck and I smile over at her as she stares at her new daughter.
“How’s Logan?” I whisper and she closes her eyes and shakes her head in disapproval. Watching him and his friends stumble in last night was embarrassing, to say the least. I wonder what Xavier thought when he saw Logan and Declan’s group of guys drunk last night, stumbling on the streets of Paris. I try to push that particular thought out of my head.
I’ve been wondering if he’s going to show up tonight. There was technically no agreement to him coming, we were rudely interrupted by the drunken guys. Surely he would come though. Right? My nerves begin to take me over. I have no way to get in contact with him either. We talked last night, but we never got to the point of exchanging numbers. Maybe he doesn’t want to pursue things like I do. My overthinking starts to get the best of me. Obviously, he doesn’t want to pursue things because, for all of those months, he never tried to find me or see if I was okay. He was forced to see me yesterday because I just randomly showed up at his office with his sister. Embarrassment sets it. Why did I go? I shouldn’t have gone. What was Jess even talking about? True love always finds a way—my ass.
I try to shove all of those negative thoughts out of my head. They can occupy my mind at another time, like on a long flight back home. Right now it’s Jess and Logan’s time. I look over to Jess still surrounded by her family and I smile hoping that one day I will get to be as lucky.
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I make my way through the crowded reception room. I scan every single seat hoping to see Xavier. But I don’t. I looked at every single face in the crowd twice when Logan and Jess were exchanging their vows. At a time when I was supposed to rejoice and be happy for my brother, I was searching for my own happiness. But, unfortunately, my happiness was nowhere to be found. He was nowhere to be found.
I make my way to my assigned table and sit down. I exhale hard as I reach for the champagne flute and chug it back. I look around quickly making sure no one just saw my desperation then watch as Logan and Jess make their way through the crowd. Everyone cheers them on as they make their way towards the dance floor. I sit back in awe of the two of them; so happy and so in love.
I continue smiling at them as their song eventually comes to an end. Champagne rushes through my veins as I watch the beautiful bride make her way over to me. She’s out of breath and all smiles as she sits in the seat next to me looking around the room at everyone here for her and Logan.
“He didn’t show?” Her smile slowly fades. I shake my head with a fake smile. “No, he didn’t. But, it’s not about me today, it’s about you and Logan. You two look so incredibly happy. Let’s focus on that.” I say as I take another set of champagne. Jess takes a random flute that’s in the middle of the table and holds it up. “Cheers to true love. May what’s meant to be always find its way back to our hearts.” She smiles and I laugh because I know she’s tipsy. Her eyes are glossed over and her cheeks are red. Just as our glasses clank, Logan makes his way over to our table. Declan follows behind him dancing to the upbeat song the DJ is now playing. The fact that I dated that man for so long baffles me.
“Someone hire a hitman?” Logan scoffs as he takes a seat next to Jess. Both of our heads whip around towards the double-doors faster than I care to admit. It’s him. My heart flutters. It feels like an entire swarm of butterflies are flying in my stomach. He came . My eyes bounce to Jess for a second and I notice her eyes begin to blur. I instantly jump up and make my way over towards Xavier. When he spots me walking towards him, his face lights up.
“I’m so sorry I’m late. I had a meeting run over and halfway through that meeting I realized I didn’t even have your number to let you know that I’d be running late. I’m sorry—” He says towering over me. I stare up at him as butterflies still swarm my stomach.
“Where’s your phone?” I ask and his eyes stay on mine as he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his phone. He slides it open with a smile and then hands it to me. I put my number in it then handed it back to him.
“You nervous?” I ask and he chuckles as he looks around the crowded reception room. “A little.” He says softly. “Follow me,” I say, reaching my hand out behind me. I feel him take it. And when I do, peace comes over my entire body. I can’t explain how or why he makes me feel the way I do. But he does.
The two of us make our way towards the table I was sitting at. Xavier pulls out my chair and I smile up at him. Within seconds Jess and Logan are in front of us.
“You must be Xavier? I’m Jess.” Jess says, reaching her hand out to him. Logan looks at her with a confused face and it’s at that precise moment that I know Jess has kept my secret. I smile proudly at her.
“I am. Nice to meet you, Jess. You make a gorgeous bride.” He smiles down at her and she blushes.
“And this is my brother, Logan. Logan, this is Xavier—an old friend.” I say, looking intensely between the two of them. To be honest I’m not sure how any of this is going to pan out. It could completely blow up in my face and if it does well—I haven’t got a clue what I would do.
“Nice to meet you, man.” Logan holds his hand out and Xavier takes it. Logan’s eyes bounce to mine. We’re interrupted by Declan throwing his arm over Logan's neck. “Whoa—who called the mafia?” Declan says as he stumbles around drunkenly laughing.
“You messed with the wrong people last night, Declan. I’ve come to collect you—” Xavier says. Everyone’s eyes widened. A crooked grin slowly forms on my face as I watch all the blood drain from Declan.
“What, what do you—”
“I’m kidding man,” Xavier puts his hand out to Declan. “Xavier.” He adds before Declan reluctantly takes it.
“He’s an old friend,” I say as Declan’s confused expression makes me almost explode with laughter.
“Oh, I see,” Declan says, looking between the two of us.
“Lina’s never mentioned you before,” Declan says.
“Well, she’s mentioned you.” Xavier snaps back. I watch as the two hold each other’s gaze a little too long for comfort.
“Declan you owe me a dance!” A blonde girl laughs as she whisks him onto the dance floor. I roll my eyes as I watch the two of them dance to the upbeat music.
Moments later my parents came into view. Oh shit. My heart drops as I see them walk directly towards us. My mother is all smiles as she holds my stare.
“Hi,” I say as they stand next to Jess and Logan.
“Have you guys met Lina’s old friend?” Logan asks my parents. I shoot him over the best I-could-kill-you look I can give then force a fake smile between my parents.
“No, we haven’t.” My mother perks up as she looks at Xavier. He’s drop-dead gorgeous and I wonder what on earth she’s thinking.
“Mrs. Harrington, Mr. Harrington.” Xavier puts his hand out to both of them. I watch as Xavier shakes both of their hands.
“It’s lovely to meet you, honey,” My mother says, bouncing her eyes between the two of us. I wonder what’s going through her head right now. I look over at my father who has a very odd smirk across his face.
“It’s nice to meet you as well,” Xavier says. Even though he looks confident, I know deep down his nerves are screaming.
“Lina’s never mentioned—” My mother tries to say before I interrupt.
“We’re old friends Mom,” I say as annoyance begins to grow.
“Well, it’s so nice to meet you, Xavier.” My father says holding Xavier’s stare. I’m not sure what my father is thinking, but he doesn’t seem mad or curious as he stares between the two of us. A few moments later one of the photographers comes up to let us know it’s time for bridal party pictures. I turn to Xavier and give his hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be back.” I smile before I follow the photographer. When I turn back around I see my father and Xavier heading towards one of the tables and I can’t help but grin.